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Dual CRISPR-Interference Strategy for Targeting Synthetic Lethal Interactions Between Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer Cells
Published on: May 30, 2025
Noncoding RNAs link metabolic reprogramming to immune microenvironment in cancers
Yiyin Zhang1, Qijiang Mao1, Qiming Xia1
1Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
Abstract:
Altered metabolic patterns in tumor cells not only meet their own growth requirements but also shape an immunosuppressive microenvironment through multiple mechanisms. Noncoding RNAs constitute approximately 60% of the transcriptional output of human cells and have been shown to regulate numerous cellular processes under developmental and pathological conditions. Given their extensive action mechanisms based on motif recognition patterns, noncoding RNAs may serve as hinges bridging metabolic activity and immune responses. Indeed, recent studies have shown that microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs and circRNAs are widely involved in tumor metabolic rewiring, immune cell infiltration and function. Hence, we summarized existing knowledge of the role of noncoding RNAs in the remodeling of tumor metabolism and the immune microenvironment, and notably, we established the TIMELnc manual, which is a free and public manual for researchers to identify pivotal lncRNAs that are simultaneously correlated with tumor metabolism and immune cell infiltration based on a bioinformatic approach.
Insights
Noncoding RNAs link tumor metabolism and immune suppression. A new manual, TIMELnc, helps researchers find key long noncoding RNAs impacting both tumor metabolism and immune cell infiltration.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Tumor cells exhibit altered metabolism that fuels growth and creates an immunosuppressive microenvironment.
- Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) regulate cellular processes and can bridge metabolic activity with immune responses.
- microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circRNAs are implicated in tumor metabolic reprogramming and immune cell modulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the role of ncRNAs in remodeling tumor metabolism and the immune microenvironment.
- To introduce TIMELnc, a manual for identifying lncRNAs associated with tumor metabolism and immune infiltration.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on ncRNAs in cancer metabolism and immunity.
- Bioinformatic approach to identify pivotal lncRNAs.
- Development of the TIMELnc manual.
Main Results:
- Noncoding RNAs play a significant role in regulating tumor metabolic reprogramming.
- ncRNAs influence immune cell infiltration and function within the tumor microenvironment.
- The TIMELnc manual provides a resource for identifying key lncRNAs connecting tumor metabolism and immune infiltration.
Conclusions:
- Noncoding RNAs are critical regulators of the interplay between tumor metabolism and the immune microenvironment.
- The TIMELnc manual serves as a valuable tool for researchers investigating these complex relationships.
- Understanding these ncRNA roles can inform novel therapeutic strategies targeting cancer metabolism and immunity.
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